‘The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas’ Opens Thursday in Southampton

Based on the real-life Chicken Ranch in La Grange, Texas, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas will open Thursday at the Southampton Cultural Center.

The musical, presented by Center Stage, is by Carol Hall, Larry L. King and Peter Masterson. Michael Disher directs and Karen Hochstedler serves as musical director.

The story is set in the last 1970s—when The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas debuted on Broadway. The infamous brothel has been operating outside of fictional Gilbert, Texas for more than a century. It is under the proprietorship of Miss Mona Stangley, (Valerie diLorenzo) having been left to her by the previous owner. While taking care of her girls, she is also on good terms with the local sheriff, Ed Earl Dodd (Daniel Becker). When crusading television reporter, Melvin P. Thorpe (Bill Kitzerow) decides to make the illegal activity a political and moral issue, loosened morals, belts and politicians abound.

Carlin Glynn and Henderson Forsythe won Tonys for their performances on Broadway, and the 1982 film adaptation starred Dolly Parton, Burt Reynolds and Jim Nabors.